Sixteen!

SIXTEEN DAYS. 

So close!! It's getting more and more real as we approach, and I am getting more and more excited!

Monday we went to apply for our marriage license.

Tuesday I had my last trial run for my makeup.

Today I have my final planning meeting with the venue and the photographer.

Tomorrow I am working out details with the lovely Becca Mercer, who is helping us with hair for the bridesmaids.

This weekend, I will run a few more errands for last minute items, and we will work on our vows and the seating chart.

Next week, we have our last counseling session with Scott and Nicole as singles, and I will focus on finishing up ceremony programs and decor...

The list goes on from now until the wedding, but things are starting to come together. I see the end in sight! My goal is to have everything done before I am off from work, so that I can just enjoy the week of the wedding with family and friends who are coming into town. It will be a whirlwind few weeks, but I am looking forward to soaking up every moment. Almost there! :)

3 Weeks!

3 weeks from today, I will be marrying the man I love :) We're super excited and working to finalize all of the details for our big celebration. Things are busy, so I probably won't be able to continue my daily countdown (and let's be honest...I'm running out of things to say and you're probably tired of all the random posts that say a lot of nothing haha). Counting down is pretty fun though!

days!

Happy Friday! :)

McKinney, TX

This makes me just a little more excited about moving to McKinney- it was voted a top 5 best place to live in America last year. That's kind of fun :)

Fun video about how awesome McKinney is...

more days!

A Church Planter's Wife-to-Be

Over the past few months, I have been asking the Lord to show me what it looks like to be a godly wife. I understand that this will be a lifetime process (I tend to be a slow learner), but I also need to make sure that before the wedding my heart is teachable and filled with humility for my new role as a wife. My desire is to be a loving and encouraging wife, and I am clinging to the Word to aid me in that process. I have so many godly examples around me, which is so helpful and encouraging. And the Lord has also been faithful to place people in my life who have been praying and supporting me in the process of preparing for marriage. 

In addition to preparing to be a wife, I have also started praying through what it looks like to specifically be a church planter's wife. While we are going to spend some time adjusting to married life before we dive head first into church planting, we are still in prayer about the calling and plans the Lord has for us. We would covet your prayers in that process as well. If you're interested in following our journey, you can check that out here.

I have recently started following this blog. A friend sent the link to me, as he knows that we will be pursuing church planting. It is written by a church planter's wife, and it has already been such an encouraging resource. I am sure it will become even more valuable to me as I begin my own journey toward becoming a church planter's wife. I have enjoyed reading her blog already, and in the coming days, I look forward to gleaning some wisdom and new perspectives from someone who has walked this road.

I am still brand new to all of this (is there a step before "brand new"? because whatever that pre-step is, that's really where I am haha). I haven't even started my journey of being a wife yet, let alone a church planter's wife. One thing at a time...I truly believe that God's whispers to "wait" were an outpouring of grace to me so I would have some time to catch up with the transition...slow learner = slow processor :) There is certainly a lot of learning ahead, and I know how important it will be for me to stay rooted in Christ if I have any chance of figuring any of this out. 

As much as there is an unknown element to what's ahead, I am confident of what the Lord has called us to. I am told that this calling is something I will need to remind myself of when things get tough. I may not know specifics yet, but I do know that He will be faithful to equip us and will certainly teach us to lean on His grace and power. Even just beginning the process of organizing our new home and slowly meeting our new neighbors is a sweet encouragement to my heart; just being able to see glimpses of how the Lord is already laying a foundation for the work He wants to accomplish. It makes me excited for what He has planned for His kingdom in our little neighborhood in McKinney. How incredibly curious and humbling that He would want to use us in that plan :)

days!!

Hello Summer :)

Today is the first day of summer, and that just makes me happy :) I am one of the few people whose favorite season is summer. I love the warm weather and the sun. Growing up, my mom called me a sun worshiper because all I wanted to do was just be in the sun. Ironic that I now have a Vitamin D deficiency... anyway, as much as I love the sun, I also equally enjoy a good summer thunderstorm. We had one last night, which was a perfect way to start the summer. Even though I don't get a summer break anymore, the summer just seems more relaxed in general. Maybe because people take vacations and actually are a bit more relaxed. Maybe it's just in my head. Either way, I enjoy the summer, and this one is going to be memorable :)

days!!

Engagement Photos!

With 25 days left until the wedding, I thought it would be fun to share our engagement photos! Nothing like last minute, right? ;) I realize most people take these at the beginning of their engagement, rather than the end. But life is boring when you do everything the same as everyone else haha. I'm just excited we have them!

Our dear friend Clint Brewer was incredibly sweet and offered to take our engagement photos for us. He is super talented, and before I get to the photos, I just need to take a minute to brag on him a bit. I met Clint in the 20s group and have had the privilege of serving with him as a leader. Right now, I enjoy the huge blessing of having his sweet girlfriend as my roommate. Clint and I also served together on the trip to Nicaragua, and it was then that I first learned of Clint's passion to use his talents to serve the Lord. He certainly has a gift, and he desires to use it to serve Jesus and the people around him. His passion is to work with non-profits and use his photography skills to create awareness of events and needs across the globe. How cool is that? :)

And this oh-so-awesome photographer/friend took our engagement photos. So. Grateful. Clint had the idea for us to take pictures around our new house in McKinney, so we headed up after work one day and had fun taking pictures around the house. A little combo engagement/new home photo shoot. Love it.

A few photos in the backyard...

So sweet...

Our new home!

That's right ladies- he's taken.

Yep.

Still taken. Ha!

Probably my favorite!

<3

Dear Dad,

There are 26 days left until I get married- can you believe it?? :) I couldn't go this Father's Day without recognizing you- not only for being an amazing dad (that's a given), but also for how awesome you have been throughout this whole wedding process. I know that we didn't really give you much time to prepare for a wedding, but I am so thankful for how incredibly generous and wonderful you have been. There are not enough words or cards or gifts that can express how grateful I am for you. I am so blessed to have a dad who not only supports and blesses our marriage, but also desires to give his little girl the wedding she has dreamed of. I know that doesn't come without sacrifice, so thank you.

I know that it has been hard for you as a dad to face the fact that I am growing up and will be living life with another man. But I want you to know that I grew up with an amazing example of what to look for. From a young age, you taught me how boys are supposed to treat me- by living out the example yourself and taking me on daddy-daughter dates. To this day, I cannot pass by an Olive Garden or a TCBY without thinking back to our dates :) You showed me how a man should love and honor his wife by how you have loved and honored mom. You taught me the value of faithfulness, patience, and selfless love. You taught me never to settle and to wait on God's perfect timing.

Thank you for always being there for me. For showing up, asking questions, being involved. Thank you for always supporting and encouraging me. For always telling me how proud you are of me. Thank you for your constant godly example. For making Christ the center of our home and for leading our family in a way that brings glory to our King. Thank you for always working hard to support and provide for us. For teaching us how to work as if working for the Lord. Thank you for your commitment to the Word. For teaching us the importance of spending daily time in the Word and applying it's teaching to our lives. Thank you for showing me the type of man I needed to date and marry. For loving and supporting us both as we move into this new stage in life. For accepting and loving Mike as your own.

I love you very much, and I hope you have a blessed Father's Day knowing how much you are loved!

Happy Birthday Sasha!

Today is Sasha's 4th birthday! I can hardly believe that it has been 4 years since this ball of fur wedged her way into my heart.

The last 4 years have definitely been an adventure with Sasha. She most definitely has a bag full of antics, and we have had our fair share of training challenges. But through it all, I still can't help but love her.

I got Sasha right before I moved to Dallas. She has been my roommate and my running buddy. She's always happy to see me, and I have just enjoyed having her around. She's in for a huge adjustment as we move to McKinney and move in with Mike, so it will be interesting to see how she does with that, but I am excited that she will have a nice huge yard to run around in.

I can't write this blog post without mentioning Sasha's bestest friend Allie. My friend Laura just lost her sweet puppy, and my heart aches for her right now. Sasha will definitely miss running around with her fun friend Allie. While the situation is sad and it's going to take some time for Laura to heal, I want to take the opportunity to relive some fun memories of our Puppy Adventures. What better way to celebrate Sasha's birthday than remembering her bestest friend? :)

Sasha's Birthday Party (don't judge) 

Always waiting for treats! :)

Swimming :)

Traveling to Abilene!

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days!! :)

Glad to be Back in Dallas

Sorry I missed a few days in my countdown...I have been in Chicago traveling for work and have not been near a computer or internet access for the past few days. It has been a long week. My meetings for work went well, but the traveling part was a bit of a challenge this trip. Just a lot of airline issues, long waits, long commutes, crazy drivers...let's just say I am very thankful to be back home in Dallas. Chicago is just too crazy for this Texas girl ;)

I am looking forward to dinner and hanging out with my sweet friend Laura tonight, breakfast with the lovely Lindsey tomorrow, and picking up my boy at the airport tomorrow night. Happy Friday!!!

days!! :)

Acts

I have been a part of the girls Bible study with the 20s group, and for the past 9 months, we have been studying the book of Acts. I haven't done an in-depth study of this book since I was in high school, so it was such a blessing to take the book chapter by chapter and really dive deep into the Word.

The group of women that I had the privilege of studying with was such a blessing to me. I was encouraged week after week with their words of wisdom and insight, and I learned so much from them. One thing I have learned about myself over the past couple of years in leading Bible study is that I LOVE small group study. I love being able to walk through Scripture each week and hearing how the Lord is moving in each person's heart and life. I love the intimacy that comes through vulnerability and the desire to seek Jesus together. I love watching the Word inspire and transform hearts. It is such a humbling experience to lead a Bible study, as I rarely feel equipped to do so. I'm just not smart enough for it. But I have been so blessed in being obedient to the places the Lord has placed me to serve, and my heart is encouraged and challenged all the time.

I LOVED the book of Acts. I loved reading about the beginning roots of the church. I loved learning the back story to many of the other New Testament books. I loved watching the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit transform lives and communities. I loved reading about Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the Word and sharing Jesus with everyone he met.

One of the things I have been most challenged by through the study of Acts is how Paul felt that the Gospel was something worth losing everything for. For Paul, it was more than just being obedient to the call the Lord placed on His life to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. He was certainly obedient in that, but Paul believed in the Gospel he preached. And that belief is what drove Him to live a life unashamed of the Gospel he believed. Every decision, every action or next step, was centered around the Gospel. It wasn't a "side task" or something he made time for on the weekends. It was the foundation for who he was and how he lived his life.

This study made me realize how often I forget the Gospel. That may sound strange, but it's a harsh reality of my sinful heart. I don't forget what Jesus did for me on the cross; but I do too often forget that it should be the driving force behind, well everything. How I spend my time, how I do my work, how I spend my money, how I make decision, how I interact with everyone I meet. My prayer has been that I can live a life closer to that of Paul. Not because I think I can be this amazing saint who has this awesome story. Paul was awesome, no doubt. But Paul just understood the power of the Gospel. He met Jesus face to face and was blown away by the life, love, and power He offers. He understood that the message he carried with him was a matter of life and death and was worth risking (and actually losing) everything for. Nothing compared

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." ~ Acts 20:24

I am so blessed to be marrying a man that understands the power of the Gospel and who desires to live in such a way that makes the Gospel central in our lives. He challenges me in this all the time, and I am excited to partner with him in serving our Savior.

days! :)

Final Details...

Everyone keeps asking how the wedding details are coming and if everything is done. Not everything is necessarily complete, but the big things are out of the way...it's just the little things that are left. We're down to only 

days!

____________________________________________

Venue? Check. We will have the ceremony and reception at the same place, which I am really excited about. They take care of most of the decor and the catering, so that knocked out 2 of the big wedding to-do's. You can check out some pics here.

Ceremony Musicians? Check. Paradis Quartet with John K. Schertz

Dress? Check. That was the first thing off the list, but I picked it up a few weeks ago! :) 

Shoes/Veil/Accessories? Check. You can check out the shoes here.

Photography? Check. Jillian Zamora- oh my gosh, I am so excited about her! She is absolutely adorable, and I can't wait for her to photograph our wedding!

Cake? Check. Ginny Stewart Designs- friend connection :) (Mike's friend's mom)

DJ? Check. DJ Connection- random connection :) (Mike's friend, having her wedding before our 2nd reception on Saturday, so we connected her time with ours and booked him Friday and Saturday)

Floral? Check. I am doing most of the floral myself (ordering in bulk from Sam's), but Whole Foods Market will be doing my bouquet and the guys' boutonnieres.

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Bridal Bouquet

Honeymoon? Check. I have to say that I am really looking forward to spending a week on the beach with my man :) After all the wedding planning and prep, a vacation is most definitely in order!

So what's left? Details for the ceremony (order, programs, songs, finalizing vows, etc.), final details for rehearsal dinner and the 2nd reception, getting our marriage license, etc. We're getting so close! :)